DESIGN CONCEPT
Hotel Palafitte was completed in 2002 as one of three temporary hotels built to accommodate visitors to the Swiss national exhibition (Expo 02). The aim was to create a state-of-the-art hotel using sustainable architecture that could be re-built or recycled after the Expo.
The hotel was originally granted permission to operate only until 2003 when it was to be dismantled, but after much pleading from architectural critics, guests and local tourism officials, it remains the only one still standing.
Designed by Lausanne-based architect Kurt Hofmann in association with the Sandoz Family Foundation, the 5-star hotel is built on stilts over Lake Neuchâtel, and is reportedly the only one of it’s kind in Europe.
The Sandoz Family Foundation was established in 1964 by the sculptor and painter Marcel Edouard Sandoz, with an aim to encourage entrepreneurial creativity, innovation and sustainable development through long-term holdings in companies in a variety of sectors.
ENVIRONMENTAL
The Hôtel Palafitte makes use of environmentally friendly features such as solar panels for hot water and electricity, heating with bio-gas from kitchen waste, and rainwater collection for toilet flushing.
FEATURES
Hotel Palafitte offers 40 luxury pavilions, all with breathtaking views of the Alps and the lake. 24 of the pavilions are built directly over the water, featuring glass floor plates for underwater viewing, and ladders from private terraces to gain direct lake access.
The hotel has a futuristic feel, with highly developed automated systems by Siemens such as fingerprint recognition rather than traditional keys, ‘SIM pads’ that allow guests to control the light, heat and privacy in their rooms and pulsating coloured lights along the length of the dividing wall between bedroom and bathroom.
Each pavilion measures 68m2 and is equipped with all the 5-star luxuries such as the ‘Nespresso’ machine, plasma TV with surround sound. The bathrooms, complete with Jacuzzi, are filled with Philippe Starck-designed fixtures and toiletries from the nearby Bulgari factories.
If you must work whilst staying here, you’ll find all the latest technological equipment to keep you functional throughout your stay including a choice of landline or portable telephone, PC with direct internet access and a colour printer.
The restaurant and bar are open 7 days a week and offer 24 hour room service, the hotel also offers conference rooms for meetings and cocktails.
LOCATION
Hotel Palafitte situated on Lake Neuchâtel and is a little over an hour away from each of the major airports.
Surrounded by both lake and mountain, the hotel is ideally placed to offer a wide range of sports such as golf, swimming, sailing and skiing. Those seeking cultural activities and entertainment can indulge in the many museums, theatres, concerts and excursions available.
RATES
Rates are per pavilion for 1, 2 or 3 persons per night. Including service, VAT and taxe de séjour. Euros according to current rate of exchange.
Pavilion on the lake
Swiss Francs 680
Euro 453
Pavilion on the shore
Swiss Francs 490
Euro 327
